What is it with these fools? Yesterday while driving on the Beltway around metropolitan DC, I was damn near run off the road by two of them! I was driving in the far right lane, doing the speed limit, 55 mph. All of a sudden these two bikers cut in front of me. I mean I almost hit the fools because they cut in so shortly. They had to be going 85-90 mph because in no time they were half a mile up the road ahead of me. Next thing I know, here come 5 more bikes roaring past me doing 85 at least. Why do bikers feel the need to drive like maniacs on open highways? They weave in and out of traffic, race each other and other motorists. It's absolutely terrifying to see.

I did run up on an bike accident last year on the beltway. I was driving along and all of a sudden I see this smoke/dust up the road about 50 feet and then I saw a wrecked bike sliding right toward me sans driver! I had to almost slam on brakes to avoid hitting the bike. Several cars had pulled over to the side of the road, and I did the same when I saw the bike rider lying in the median. I was the first one to reach him. No blood, no gore. He was lying face up on the ground. He had on a helmet and he was conscious. I asked him if he could hear me and he nodded his head. He was trying to move his legs, but I told him to stay still. Several other people came up and started calling for help. I left because I knew help was on the way, and I couldn't do anything else. I figured he wasn't hurt too badly because he could move his head and legs. The next day at work I was telling a coworker about it. She said she saw it on the news later that evening. The biker died. That really struck me because I could still see that young man's face looking up at me with gratitude. But what a waste!

Why? Why? Why, do bikers take such risks? I hate motorcycles! They make too much damn noise! I would like to own a Vespa though. They're cute and look like fun to ride, but I never see them around DC. I wouldn't own one where I live now. I can see some hardhead knocking my ass off it and stealing it. Are they legal on highways?

How could you have hit them when they cut in driving much faster than you?

Driving a motorbike (quickly) is quite dangerous, but I rarely happens that motocyclists endanger other people directly. When a biker cuts in or overtakes between cars, just trust them and don't lose your cool. Don't jump on the brakes, don't swerve; they usually know what they're doing (doesn't make their actions legal, though).

Guess you could call me one of those quick drivers who drive much faster than other people on the rode... But I've never endangered other people. I'm just overtaking them constantly!

Vespas are cool, too. I used to own one, too. They are very stylish and perfect for the city. I don't know about the law in the U.S., but in most European country you're allowed to drive on the highway with a motorcycle that has more than 50cc, or drives faster than 60 km/h (nearly 40 mp/h).

Genesia said:

Not all motorcyclists are reckless. Sweetie is a safe and sober rider. He obeys the law - and always wears a helmet. And he is a mature man who knows not to let his testosterone get the better of him.

Yes, there are some mature riders, but most of the ones I see are too reckless. There is a guy who lives in my community who routinely speeds up and down one of the main thorofares. I can hear him coming a half mile away. But one time, while driving to work on the parkway, I saw a guy on a bike who was driving very safely and courteously. He pulled up beside me in a lull in the traffic. I rolled down my windown and said, "Thank you for being a mature and courteous biker. Thumbs up, buds!" So yes, there are some good bikers. Those biker clubs that come to DC for whatever reason are usually very good, too. They ride en masse, but safely and within the law. I respecty them. So hats off to Sweetie, too!

Dave1992 said:

How could you have hit them when they cut in driving much faster than you?

Driving a motorbike (quickly) is quite dangerous, but I rarely happens that motocyclists endanger other people directly. When a biker cuts in or overtakes between cars, just trust them and don't lose your cool. Don't jump on the brakes, don't swerve; they usually know what they're doing (doesn't make their actions legal, though).

Guess you could call me one of those quick drivers who drive much faster than other people on the rode... But I've never endangered other people. I'm just overtaking them constantly!

Vespas are cool, too. I used to own one, too. They are very stylish and perfect for the city. I don't know about the law in the U.S., but in most European country you're allowed to drive on the highway with a motorcycle that has more than 50cc, or drives faster than 60 km/h (nearly 40 mp/h).

Quite simply because they cut in too closely. If I had accelerated just as they cut in front of me, I would have him them. Plus they were riding illegally. Both of them were riding abreast of each other in one lane, which I believe is against the law.

ZombieKitten said:

A friend of mine killed a motorcyclist who overtook her on the highway at night. It was really bad luck because 5 years earlier she had lost an eye when she got kicked in her face by a horse. She didn't see the motorcyclist until too late because of her limited peripheral vision on one side. She stopped driving after that, she never got over it. I was in another car quite by coincidence that same night and passed the accident. He was already covered with a blanket over his head. I've probably passed by 3 fatal motorcycle accidents in my time. Once with he kids.

I have the same condition, but I can still see in front of me. My right eye has a vision field defect due to two ischemic strokes. I stay to my extreme right when I drive, and I rely heavily on my mirrors and the sound of the traffic approaching on my right. The biggest problem I have driving are the fools who want to pass on the right if I'm already in the right lane. Another problem is the asshole who is merging onto the highway on the right and try to speed up to overtake me and cut me off when the merge lane ends.

Dave1992 said:

How could you have hit them when they cut in driving much faster than you?

Driving a motorbike (quickly) is quite dangerous, but I rarely happens that motocyclists endanger other people directly. When a biker cuts in or overtakes between cars, just trust them and don't lose your cool. Don't jump on the brakes, don't swerve; they usually know what they're doing (doesn't make their actions legal, though).

Guess you could call me one of those quick drivers who drive much faster than other people on the rode... But I've never endangered other people. I'm just overtaking them constantly!

Vespas are cool, too. I used to own one, too. They are very stylish and perfect for the city. I don't know about the law in the U.S., but in most European country you're allowed to drive on the highway with a motorcycle that has more than 50cc, or drives faster than 60 km/h (nearly 40 mp/h).

Easier said than done when someone startles you on the road. And why should I trust someone who is breaking the law? I think that's pretty much the definition of untrustworthy. If your actions frighten another driver, you are endangering them.

There's an easy solution, of course: Don't be a douchebag.

[Edited 7/1/13 7:06am]

One day in Dallas, I was driving on Central Expressway - a very, very crowded freeway.

I looked in my mirror and saw a motorcycle coming up on my left, but something didn't look right. A couple seconds later, he passed me. He was doing about 70 mph - and he was doing a wheelie!

It was both the coolest thing and stupidest thing I'd ever seen. I had to go to a meeting, but I really wanted to catch him so I could shake his hand, and then punch his lights out, LOL.

At any rate, I used to race motocross. There is no way I'd ever ride on the street. It's just too dangerous. It doesn't matter how good a driver you are - if a car hits you, it's game over.

Almost anyone in the health industry will tell you that their in-house name for motorcylcists is "organ donors".

I've been riding motorcycles for about 40 years. Hell, drivers scare the hell out of me sometimes!

TD3 said:

I've been riding motorcycles for about 40 years. Hell, drivers scare the hell out of me sometimes!

They scare the hell out of Sweetie, too. Which is why he doesn't "give them a reason."

Genesia said:

Dave1992 said:

How could you have hit them when they cut in driving much faster than you?

Driving a motorbike (quickly) is quite dangerous, but I rarely happens that motocyclists endanger other people directly. When a biker cuts in or overtakes between cars, just trust them and don't lose your cool. Don't jump on the brakes, don't swerve; they usually know what they're doing (doesn't make their actions legal, though).

Guess you could call me one of those quick drivers who drive much faster than other people on the rode... But I've never endangered other people. I'm just overtaking them constantly!

Vespas are cool, too. I used to own one, too. They are very stylish and perfect for the city. I don't know about the law in the U.S., but in most European country you're allowed to drive on the highway with a motorcycle that has more than 50cc, or drives faster than 60 km/h (nearly 40 mp/h).

Easier said than done when someone startles you on the road. And why should I trust someone who is breaking the law? I think that's pretty much the definition of untrustworthy. If your actions frighten another driver, you are endangering them.

There's an easy solution, of course: Don't be a douchebag.

[Edited 7/1/13 7:06am]

Bike drivers sometimes simply want to be douchebags and drive like crazy bastards, so the least they can do is ask you to keep your cool.

Dave1992 said:

Genesia said:

Easier said than done when someone startles you on the road. And why should I trust someone who is breaking the law? I think that's pretty much the definition of untrustworthy. If your actions frighten another driver, you are endangering them.

There's an easy solution, of course: Don't be a douchebag.

[Edited 7/1/13 7:06am]

Bike drivers sometimes simply want to be douchebags and drive like crazy bastards, so the least they can do is ask you to keep your cool.

Yeah, it's real cool when some innocent driver has to live with their involvement in the death of a douchebag - even when it was entirely the douchebag's fault.

Genesia said:

Dave1992 said:

Bike drivers sometimes simply want to be douchebags and drive like crazy bastards, so the least they can do is ask you to keep your cool.

Yeah, it's real cool when some innocent driver has to live with their involvement in the death of a douchebag - even when it was entirely the douchebag's fault.

Where did I say that?

Dave1992 said:

Genesia said:

Yeah, it's real cool when some innocent driver has to live with their involvement in the death of a douchebag - even when it was entirely the douchebag's fault.

Where did I say that?

You didn't. I was referring to post #4 in this thread.

I once had sex on a motorcycle

RodeoSchro said:

One day in Dallas, I was driving on Central Expressway - a very, very crowded freeway.

I looked in my mirror and saw a motorcycle coming up on my left, but something didn't look right. A couple seconds later, he passed me. He was doing about 70 mph - and he was doing a wheelie!

It was both the coolest thing and stupidest thing I'd ever seen. I had to go to a meeting, but I really wanted to catch him so I could shake his hand, and then punch his lights out, LOL.

At any rate, I used to race motocross. There is no way I'd ever ride on the street. It's just too dangerous. It doesn't matter how good a driver you are - if a car hits you, it's game over.

Almost anyone in the health industry will tell you that their in-house name for motorcylcists is "organ donors".

Yeah...I was on the highway once, and this douchebag motorcyclist was doing a wheelie all the way for about 2 miles...no joke...in fast-moving traffic.

It unnerved me so I slowed down and allowed him to get waaaaay ahead of me, that way if he hit a rock or a crack in the pavement and suddenly he's sliding across the highway, it wouldn't be ME running over his stupid ass.

My main gripe with bikers has to do with Harleys (and those type of motorcycles). Fine. I get it. You have money to burn and you want everyone within a five-mile radius to HEAR the expensive horsepower between your legs. BUT when you come barreling down a residential street at 3:00am with your engine rattling the windows...waking up sleeping kids & shit...you deserve to lose control and smash your head against a brick wall.

PurpleJedi said:

RodeoSchro said:

One day in Dallas, I was driving on Central Expressway - a very, very crowded freeway.

I looked in my mirror and saw a motorcycle coming up on my left, but something didn't look right. A couple seconds later, he passed me. He was doing about 70 mph - and he was doing a wheelie!

It was both the coolest thing and stupidest thing I'd ever seen. I had to go to a meeting, but I really wanted to catch him so I could shake his hand, and then punch his lights out, LOL.

At any rate, I used to race motocross. There is no way I'd ever ride on the street. It's just too dangerous. It doesn't matter how good a driver you are - if a car hits you, it's game over.

Almost anyone in the health industry will tell you that their in-house name for motorcylcists is "organ donors".

Yeah...I was on the highway once, and this douchebag motorcyclist was doing a wheelie all the way for about 2 miles...no joke...in fast-moving traffic.

It unnerved me so I slowed down and allowed him to get waaaaay ahead of me, that way if he hit a rock or a crack in the pavement and suddenly he's sliding across the highway, it wouldn't be ME running over his stupid ass.

My main gripe with bikers has to do with Harleys (and those type of motorcycles). Fine. I get it. You have money to burn and you want everyone within a five-mile radius to HEAR the expensive horsepower between your legs. BUT when you come barreling down a residential street at 3:00am with your engine rattling the windows...waking up sleeping kids & shit...you deserve to lose control and smash your head against a brick wall.

Sweetie has a Harley.

He does not, however, ride it at 3 a.m. (In fact, he rarely rides after dark.)

Dave1992 said:

Genesia said:

PurpleJedi said:

Yeah...I was on the highway once, and this douchebag motorcyclist was doing a wheelie all the way for about 2 miles...no joke...in fast-moving traffic.

It unnerved me so I slowed down and allowed him to get waaaaay ahead of me, that way if he hit a rock or a crack in the pavement and suddenly he's sliding across the highway, it wouldn't be ME running over his stupid ass.

My main gripe with bikers has to do with Harleys (and those type of motorcycles). Fine. I get it. You have money to burn and you want everyone within a five-mile radius to HEAR the expensive horsepower between your legs. BUT when you come barreling down a residential street at 3:00am with your engine rattling the windows...waking up sleeping kids & shit...you deserve to lose control and smash your head against a brick wall.

Sweetie has a Harley.

He does not, however, ride it at 3 a.m. (In fact, he rarely rides after dark.)

It's all good...I guess I'm just jaded from 10 years of living in an area teeming with bikers coming home drunk at 2 or 3 in the morning, engines rumbling like a damn freight train is coming down the street. I can't tell you how close I came to stringing a fishline across the street and decapitate one of those bastards back when the kids were babies.

I must admit, when those guys (and it always seems to be guys) go down the street at ridiculous speeds, revving these incredibly loud engines, it does make my blood boil for a few seconds.

Stymie said:

Dave1992 said:

How could you have hit them when they cut in driving much faster than you?

Driving a motorbike (quickly) is quite dangerous, but I rarely happens that motocyclists endanger other people directly. When a biker cuts in or overtakes between cars, just trust them and don't lose your cool. Don't jump on the brakes, don't swerve; they usually know what they're doing (doesn't make their actions legal, though).

Guess you could call me one of those quick drivers who drive much faster than other people on the rode... But I've never endangered other people. I'm just overtaking them constantly!

Vespas are cool, too. I used to own one, too. They are very stylish and perfect for the city. I don't know about the law in the U.S., but in most European country you're allowed to drive on the highway with a motorcycle that has more than 50cc, or drives faster than 60 km/h (nearly 40 mp/h).

You really think the way you drive doesn't endanger people?

I do believe so. Even though I'm on the fast side as a driver, I try to drive as anticipatory as possible and know when to go easy on the throttle. And when I "cut in" (accelerating, driving much quicker than the car I am overtaking, and leaving enough space in between in my descretion) I only do so when the driver behind me can clearly see that there is nothing ahead that would make me brake.

People who are easily scared by the sound of loud engines or overtaking cars/motorbikes shouldn't drive, in my honest opinion.

Dave1992 said:

Stymie said:

Dave1992 said: You really think the way you drive doesn't endanger people?

I do believe so. Even though I'm on the fast side as a driver, I try to drive as anticipatory as possible and know when to go easy on the throttle. And when I "cut in" (accelerating, driving much quicker than the car I am overtaking, and leaving enough space in between in my descretion) I only do so when the driver behind me can clearly see that there is nothing ahead that would make me brake.

People who are easily scared by the sound of loud engines or overtaking cars/motorbikes shouldn't drive, in my honest opinion.

This is just bullshit. You are breaking the law (by speeding or driving recklessly) and the people who are unnerved by your actions are the ones who should get off the road?

Sorry, Dave - driving is a privilege, not a right. People who drive like jerks prove themselves unworthy of that privilege. Are you aware that it is differences in speed between that causes most vehicular accidents?

Your need to prove your manhood by driving like a jerk does not supersede the rights of others to get safely to their destination.

Dave1992 said:

Stymie said:

Dave1992 said: You really think the way you drive doesn't endanger people?

I do believe so. Even though I'm on the fast side as a driver, I try to drive as anticipatory as possible and know when to go easy on the throttle. And when I "cut in" (accelerating, driving much quicker than the car I am overtaking, and leaving enough space in between in my descretion) I only do so when the driver behind me can clearly see that there is nothing ahead that would make me brake.

People who are easily scared by the sound of loud engines or overtaking cars/motorbikes shouldn't drive, in my honest opinion.

I am stunned. This is why we have so many traffic accidents.

[Edited 7/3/13 7:41am]

Dave1992 said:

Stymie said:

Dave1992 said: You really think the way you drive doesn't endanger people?

I do believe so. Even though I'm on the fast side as a driver, I try to drive as anticipatory as possible and know when to go easy on the throttle. And when I "cut in" (accelerating, driving much quicker than the car I am overtaking, and leaving enough space in between in my descretion) I only do so when the driver behind me can clearly see that there is nothing ahead that would make me brake.

People who are easily scared by the sound of loud engines or overtaking cars/motorbikes shouldn't drive, in my honest opinion.

As a former racer (albeit on the dirt), I strongly disagree with that last statement. But in reality, here's the bottom line:

If you scare that person and they do something that causes an accident with you, YOU are the one that is going to get hurt or die. The motorcyclist NEVER wins in a wreck - with a car, tree, or the road.

It's like people that walk out in front of me on streets or in parking lots. I'm sure they are thinking "Pedestrians always have the right of way, so it's not on me to watch where I'm going". But the reality is, if a car hits a person, the person can be in the right all they want but they are still going to die.

Empress said:

Dave1992 said:

I do believe so. Even though I'm on the fast side as a driver, I try to drive as anticipatory as possible and know when to go easy on the throttle. And when I "cut in" (accelerating, driving much quicker than the car I am overtaking, and leaving enough space in between in my descretion) I only do so when the driver behind me can clearly see that there is nothing ahead that would make me brake.

People who are easily scared by the sound of loud engines or overtaking cars/motorbikes shouldn't drive, in my honest opinion.

I am stunned. This is why we have so many traffic accidents.

I wonder if Dave would change his tune if some punk caused his mom to swerve, run off the road and roll her car?

Genesia said:

Dave1992 said:

I do believe so. Even though I'm on the fast side as a driver, I try to drive as anticipatory as possible and know when to go easy on the throttle. And when I "cut in" (accelerating, driving much quicker than the car I am overtaking, and leaving enough space in between in my descretion) I only do so when the driver behind me can clearly see that there is nothing ahead that would make me brake.

People who are easily scared by the sound of loud engines or overtaking cars/motorbikes shouldn't drive, in my honest opinion.

This is just bullshit. You are breaking the law (by speeding or driving recklessly) and the people who are unnerved by your actions are the ones who should get off the road?

Sorry, Dave - driving is a privilege, not a right. People who drive like jerks prove themselves unworthy of that privilege. Are you aware that it is differences in speed between that causes most vehicular accidents?

Your need to prove your manhood by driving like a jerk does not supersede the rights of others to get safely to their destination.

You are now talking about law, which is a completely different matter altogether. Of course the person breaking the law loses in all cases.

But there are many cases where nobody actually breaks the law and people's reactions still cause accidents, mostly due to their lack of concentration or because they are simple nervous behind the wheel of a car (so, so many people are... and that is the biggest danger on the streets, in my opinion).

And if we're talking about the law, you have to take into account that most accidents happen at very low speeds (-lack of concentration), although not fatal ones, of course.

I am not trying to condemn illegal behaviour, but I would like to put more pressure on drivers who feel like they are on the safe side just because they drive slowly. These are the kind of people whose driving is often completely illogical and erratic, which is at least as dangerous as someone driving 15 mph faster than what is allowed, but who is actually concentrated and has a proper feel for the traffic situation.

RodeoSchro said:

Dave1992 said:

I do believe so. Even though I'm on the fast side as a driver, I try to drive as anticipatory as possible and know when to go easy on the throttle. And when I "cut in" (accelerating, driving much quicker than the car I am overtaking, and leaving enough space in between in my descretion) I only do so when the driver behind me can clearly see that there is nothing ahead that would make me brake.

People who are easily scared by the sound of loud engines or overtaking cars/motorbikes shouldn't drive, in my honest opinion.

As a former racer (albeit on the dirt), I strongly disagree with that last statement. But in reality, here's the bottom line:

If you scare that person and they do something that causes an accident with you, YOU are the one that is going to get hurt or die. The motorcyclist NEVER wins in a wreck - with a car, tree, or the road.

It's like people that walk out in front of me on streets or in parking lots. I'm sure they are thinking "Pedestrians always have the right of way, so it's not on me to watch where I'm going". But the reality is, if a car hits a person, the person can be in the right all they want but they are still going to die.

The moment you drive off with a motorbike you put your life at risk, it's just how it is. I'm just disagreeing with the sentiment that all people who drive quickly are dangerous drivers and that all people who drive slowly never cause accidents, just because they are protected by the law. The law is full of flaws, especially in traffic.

And Genesia, my dear old woman, there was (again) no need for your slight attempt of an insult or ridicule. I don't know if it's simply the hormones and actually not your fault, but it takes away a lot of your credibility and makes you come across as overly belligerent.


And yes, I know, I am oh-so arrogant and should oh-so much learn to deal with my complexes...

Dave1992 said:

RodeoSchro said:

As a former racer (albeit on the dirt), I strongly disagree with that last statement. But in reality, here's the bottom line:

If you scare that person and they do something that causes an accident with you, YOU are the one that is going to get hurt or die. The motorcyclist NEVER wins in a wreck - with a car, tree, or the road.

It's like people that walk out in front of me on streets or in parking lots. I'm sure they are thinking "Pedestrians always have the right of way, so it's not on me to watch where I'm going". But the reality is, if a car hits a person, the person can be in the right all they want but they are still going to die.

The moment you drive off with a motorbike you put your life at risk, it's just how it is. I'm just disagreeing with the sentiment that all people who drive quickly are dangerous drivers and that all people who drive slowly never cause accidents, just because they are protected by the law. The law is full of flaws, especially in traffic.

Drive quickly? Do you mean speeding? Because that's illegal.

The type of driving you describe doing with cutting in front of someone can cause them to become startled and cause them to have an accident and you would be long gone and not have to face the consequences of your actions.

I didn't see anyone say that people driving slowly cause no accidents but I can assure they cause less accidents than people driving "quickly".